''How is this one for reception, Sona will look angelic in this.'' Dipika asked her hand caressing the rich  fabric.

''She should be looking sexy to blow Vicky's mind off.'' Ananya replied in her usual self. They shared a laugh. Ananya took a seat next to Dipika, ''I doubt she would be able to move after wearing this. She is so thin.''

''But Mom wants her to wear this for the reception.'' Ananya nodded. Shivani Rathore never demanded or ordered around but once she decided upon something, her family followed.

Dipika fiddled with the pile of clothes not sure how to being the conversation she had in mind. 

"Out with it. If after all these years, you have to think so much to speak your mind to me, it means I haven't won your heart.''

Dipika threw a pillow at her.  ''I wanted to speak about Vansh, I knew about them.'' She confessed. Ananya smiled, ''Its fine. I am glad someone knew about it.''

''I hope you are not angry about his choice.''

''Why would I be? Chitra is an amazing girl but they are too young and the way this boy is behaving, I fear Ranvijay would do anything to pin him down.''

''So do I." Dipika agreed, they both were worried about Vansh's rebellious nature and the repercussion he would have to face as a result of it.

''Do you think Sona can handle the way you did for all those years?'' Dipika asked

''I didn't stood up because I was different but because I had no other option. Sona had no option but to match the new king. And what are we here for.'' Dipika nodded but she doubted, Sona was a kid and too gullible which Ananya had never been. They had a long route training Vikram's baby bride.

***

Aadhavan was all set to leave, he had to reach and overlook the arrangements for the wedding. He had always been guilty about not being there for his kids and now he wanted to make up for it.

''Appa, the car is ready.'' Dev informed his father. Aadhavan nodded, ''Though, I want you to join us but I can't expect you to leave your mother alone.''

Dev smiled, ''Mrs Netra can be taken care of in my absence as well. She doesn't me, she has all she always wanted. I will there in few days.'' He promised his father.

Dev walked his father to the car, Sona stood there fiddling with her fingers.  Dev shook his head, ''You will see him soon, stop acting like that.'' He whispered . She lowered her eyes as her brothers and father laughed.

''Get in Sagar!'' Aadhavan ordered. Sagar quietly stood next to Dev, ''I will stay back and come along with Anna.'' Sagar replied

Dev wanted to protest but Aadhavan agreed. Sagar had a niggling feeling about his brother and he didn't wanted to leave Dev alone.  He feared that if he left, he wouldn't see Dev again. His brother had changed since their return form Jaigarh. The small meeting with Rathore Princess had left his brother broken and Sagar could see that.

''what's up with you Sagar?'' Dev asked after Aadhavan and Sona left. Sagar didn't hesitate, ''Would you leave me alone knowing that I am in pain.''  Dev froze, he shut his eyes tight not sure how to face his brother but he forgot that Sagar loved him more than his father. He was six months when 12 year old decided to be his guardian angel, he had been always present where a kid needed parents. Sagar's  arms went around his elder brother from behind, ''Is she  all what matters? Do I matter to you?'' 

Dev smiled, pulling Sagar to his front, ''You are growing too fast.''

He didn't answer instead, he said what he had been wanting to since their return from Jaigarh, ''If she can't forgive you, I will never forgive her for giving you pain.'' Dev pulled his nose, ''Get in!''

''Can I go for a Safari!'' Sagar asked. He had been pestering Dev on visiting the tiger reserve close to Suryagarh but Dev kept refusing fearing his security. There were still some who needed to be controlled and Dev just had been waiting for Sona's wedding to happen in calm.

''Go inside Sagar and I promise I will give you are tour.''

''If you are looking to promise, then promise you will never leave me alone.'' Dev had to, Sagar meant a lot to him. 

Pushing Sagar back into his room, Dev made his way to his Grandmother's room. He knocked, and she asked him to step in, ''Dev! I missed you.'' Vasudha beamed at her grandson

''I didn't and I never will. A woman who betrayed her own daughter can any day betray me.'' He took a deep breath, ''Coming to the point.'' Locking his grandmother to her chair he looked straight into her eyes, ''I know you don't like my siblings but hear this out, one wrong move and I will bury you in your room.''  For a second Vasudha felt as if her heart stopped in fear. Dev's eyes were dangerous,stepping back he warned, ''I suggest you stick to your room. Good for your long life.''

''Are you trying to impress the Rathore Princess with putting your own down. She will never trust you again.'' Vasudha taunted

He scoffed, ''My own turned me into a cold blooded murderer and I suggest you worry about your life. You don't have many years left and I hope you want them to go in peace.''  Vashudha gulped, Dev had changed and she was right, he had for the ones he loved.

***

Ranvijay stared at the beautiful lake which shared its boundary with Grand Palace, his daughter's gloomy eyes would dance in mind every second.  He knew, she still loved Dev and why shouldn't she, the boy had a golden heart, he had seen it  not just once but twice. He still remembered the eyes of little Dev who sat on his lap as he warned Netra about mending her ways. Those eyes held the purity , his adult eyes still held that purity.  

Ranvijay smiled, he never refused his daughter a thing then how could he deny her the man she loved but before that he was going to test the love that they held in between then. 

A pair of arms went around him and he smiled, ''Where are you lost my king?''

Ranvijay decided to his thoughts to himself, he knew Ananya will never forgive the man who tried to kill him but Ranvijay wanted to give Dev a chance, the enmity had existed for too long, it was time to bury it.

Ananya snapped her fingers, ''Who the hell holds your attention is my presence?'' She asked annoyed, he smiled staring down into his eyes, ''Don't act jealous. Its just my little girl who occupies my head.''

Ananya made a face, '' Then its fine.'' He hugged her tight, his thoughts going back to his daughter again. Rolli never expressed but Ranvijay had noticed how his daughter had been torn in between her love for Dev and for him. He had to free her and soon.

***

Vansh paced around like a mad bull, it has been a week since he last saw Chitra. She had all together stopped coming to the Palace. When he tried to ask Sitara, she sternly requested him to keep distance.

He was going mad, all his family had  their own love story then why were they against his. He shook his head, his heart pushed him to see her once but his brain warned him against it, he knew his impatience would bring her pain but then he wanted to see her to make sure she was fine an he knew where to find her. 

Vansh quickly drove off to the campus not bothering about informing the security. He mae his way to the hotel management section , he bribed one of her friends and requested her to bring Chitra to a secluded place.

Vansh heard the rustling of leaves, his eyes moved in the direction of the sound and there she was, walking towards him along with her friend. Her eyes pinned to ground and fingers clutching the strap of her bag tightly. His heart constricted, she looked so gloomy that he wanted to hit himself hard for bringing that day upon them. 

Vansh took small steps to her, he wanted to hold her, comfort her and love her till she forgot all her worries. 

''I will take it from here.'' His voice made her look up, turning around she gave her friend and amusing glance but the girl ran off mouthing a small sorry. 

Vansh pulled her closer, his arm around her waist and a palm cupping her cheek, ''I am sorry.'' His touch melted her.

''I told you its not right.''

''And how is it wrong, care to explain''

She looked up, ''I am your staff, a servant and you  are my master. A master cannot fall in love with a servant.'' Her eyes pour the pain that she endured for over a week. He knew she was hurting because of her parent's anger. wrapping his arms around her, he lowered  his lips on hers brushing them slightly, she parted them slowly giving herself to him.

Vansh arms enveloped her tight as his lips blended with hers, he kissed her and she kissed him back. Chitra knew she loved him, she always had loved him but held herself back for the difference but this moment seemed to dissolve all differences and inhibitions.  He always wanted her to believe in him, she did yet refused but now she was going to open her heart. Her bag fell on the earth with a thud as Vansh carried her off to a secluded place, ''Listen to me, I love you and will always do. If my status and name bothers you, I am ready to leave all but don't push me back.

Chitra wrapped her body around him, ''I promise , I won't.'' He smiled, ''In rush to go home.''

''No, I have three more lectures but can bunk them as I have full attendance.''

''You won't miss today's as well. I know your and my parents, I am not going to take chances.'' Vansh pulled his phone and requested Chitra's friend to put a proxy on her behalf.

Leaning against the wall of the old building her held her close against his body. She slowly kissed his neck, moving her lips down to his chest, ''Some one is acting wild.''

''I want to believe that I have you.'' Vansh studied her, he lifted her up, her legs around his waist. Turning around, he pushed her against the wall. ''I can do more.''

She smiled, ''Later.'' They sat in each others arms for long before if was officially for her classes to be over. He stayed hidden watching her being driven off.  He knew, if they kept on going like this someone would discover them. He smiled, he wasn't going to get caught that easily.

***

''Hukum, your presence is requested in the theater room.'' A staff informed Vikram. He nodded but something caught his eyes, ''what's the reason for that smile.''

The man blinked, ''We are happy about your wedding.'' The man scurried off but Vikram knew better, sending a messenger meant his family was too busy with something. he could only pray that his family wouldn't up to something.

He made his way to the theater room, his feet halted hearing the collected laughter of his family. Vikram face palmed, ''Not again.''

His eyes widen when he found his toddler version shaking his diaper clad hips on the big screen. The family had many such memories but this one was used to embarrass him every time.

''Come here Vicky.'' Ananya gestured him with a big smile on her face. He walked to her and sat in her feet , his eyes on the screen. She caressed his head, ''We are planning to play this one on your reception.'' He jerked up, his eyes moving from one to the other family member, they looked serious. He was about to open his mouth but Dipika's resolve gave up, ''I am so sorry, he looked as if we sentence him life imprisonment.  

Vikram just shook his head as his family teased him, he took his place next to Ananya.  She took a moment before speaking her mind, ''When we held you for the first time, all of us grew up that moment. You bought joy to our family Vicky.'' He smiled

''But from now, nothing is going to be simple. I hope, you know  what shoes you have to step into in future and you can't afford to disappoint us.''

Vikram's eyes went to Ranvijay, he sat laughing at the video sharing some old stories, ''It sometimes scare me A.''

''Its okay to be scared but not to give up. Vikram, you marriage never started smooth. Though, you two love each other there is still lack of understanding. None of you bothered to sit , discuss and apologise after all concluded. ''

''But why should I? I wasn't wrong''

''It isn't about being wrong and right in own eyes but in that of your partner. You need to open up to Sona before you take your vows,''

''And how.''

She handed him an envelope. His eyes widen, ''You and a small group of friends are leaving for a bachelor trip . Just taken a small diversion.'' 

 Vikram hugged his aunt, she patted his back, her eyes locked with Ranvijay. He gave her a knowing smiled and she grinned wider. They never needed words and she wanted Vikram and Sona to learn the silence that speaks the heart.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Done.